“Absolutely vital” state government funding has become Griffith’s Regional Art Gallery’s lifeline, according to its coordinator Ray Wholohan. Mr Wholohan said the gallery would be dipping its hand into the money pot once more, following a fresh funding announcement this week. He said it relied on close to $30,000 to help cover costs for the Gallery’s “quality stuff” like the current blockbuster exhibition from the Australian War Memorial and a number of public programs. MIA MP Austin Evans on Thursday urged any organisations across the MIA to apply for a share of $47 million in grant money, available until September. It comes as part of the state government’s $1.3 billion regional and cultural fund, according to Mr Evans, who said invited a range of organisations, including council, to apply. “This is a fund that has the potential to totally transform the arts and culture scene,” Mr Evans said. Visit nsw.gov.au/regionalculturalfund or email regional@arts.nsw.gov.au for more.